Projection system for images and sounds



April 1945. w. F. CLARK ETAL I PROJECTION SYSTEM FOR IMAGES AND SOUNDS Filed March 4, 1942 I 2 Sheets -Sheet l April 3, 1945. w p A K ETAL 2,373,013

PROJECTION SYSTEM FOR IMAGES AND SOUNDS Filed March 4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rL A I/ A 1W //2 J2 Wk I pz g xa IS-230V. LINE AMPLIFIER :screen, etc.

Patented Apr. 3, 1945 UNITED STATES JPATENTOFFICE PROJECTION S YSTEM FOR IMAGES A D SOUNDS "William F. Clark and Arthur F. Adams, Chicago, jIll.

Application March 4, 1942, Serial No. 433,314

6 Claims.

late .to :a multiple sound and projection mechanism operatingconcurrently in conjunction with a plurality of screens .onto which images are transmitted. These screens'may each .face in a different direction, and periodically the images projected thereon may be changed so-thata second screen :Will then receive image which previously had appeared onthe'first screen, a th rd screen the images which had previously appeared on a second screen, and-a first-screen the images :which had previously appeared on the third This .result is brought about by mounting upon a turntable a plurality of projectors each in succession facing-one screen, the

several projectorsibeing concurrently shiftable to other predetermined positions in response to rotative advanceof the turntable, so that upon a repeat perfonnance the images previously transmitted to one screen 'will appear upon the next ;.screen in order.

'In conjunctionwith-a multiple projector mechanism of this character it is desirable to'utilize a control system by which signals are operated to inform incoming "r settled spectators concerning the title and type ofthe pictures which are next'to'be shown, or are-in process of being shown, on each of the several screens. By so "doing, each spectator may intelligently proceed to "a position from which he may .View the picture in whichhe is most interested. For example, on one of the screens there may be a feature showing, on another'current news, and on-another a comedy. The signals 'so displayed for the guidance-of spectator-swim change automatically with each change of images successively from one screentoanother. Inthisway spectators arrivdug, no .matter at what time during "the performance, will zbein'formedas to the theatre area or segment from :which the ,desired picture may currently be viewed. Such a signal system .is incorporated as partiof; the present invention along with a control system by which the operation thereof is :coordinatedwithrthe showings of the several pictures on the plurality of: screens which .are provided.

- A suggestive embodiment of ourinvention is 1.

shown in theaccompanying drawings in the manner following:

Figure -1 is a plan view of an outdoor theatre containing three spectator segments, each designed toaccommodate automobiles whose occupants may conveniently face one of the screens upon which image -are projected concurrently wi-tha showing of other images onthe remaining screen each of which face a different segment wherein other spectators may alsotake up viewing positions;

Fig. 2 is a detail in planlof'the'turntable whereon are mounted three projectors, spaced apart around a common. center;

Fig. .3 is an enlarged detail in section, taken on line :3-.-.3 of Fig.1;

.Fig. 4 is a verticalsection on an enlarged scale,

taken on linec4-.-.4 .ofFig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a suggestive electrical,controlsystem for the signals, the motor drive for the turntable, and the projector and sound mechanisms.

In the drawings and ensuing description we refer, for convenience, to a three-segment theatre equipped with three screens onto which pictures. are cast from a battery of three projectors controlled by/antelectrical system in which triplicate units are used. This number, i. e., three, for all. suchlequipment, i ,onethat may be prefererd, but is not at all necessary, since the invention may in certain installations :use two, four, or other numbers of. such equipment, and We there- .tore wish it understood that reference to equipment intriplicate, .as hereinafter set forth, is by way 01v example'on'ly.

The outdoor theatre illustrated by way of example in Fig. 1 comprises a bounded area A having a pair .of gates I, .each provided, ifdesired, with adjacent entrance and exit lanes .with a ticket .booth H therebetween. These gates .are located substantially opposite radial aisles l2 and ..l:3 which, including a third aisle M, are desirably spaced apart 120" or there- 'abouts. :Other gates 15 may also be provided proximate to'the thirdaisle N. If desired, reflectionstands l6 may. be placed in the aisles,

.as shown.

Between the-aisles the ground may optionally be gradedor banked =to.provide inclinded arcuate stallways 20 with runways :21 to the rear thereof. These stallways are-arranged to the outside of acentralxspace in which seats 22 may be circularly extended about the-theatre exits, at :ivhich point is a turret projection house to be presently described in detail.

Cars passing through any of the entrance gates may proceed into a selected aisle and then around through one of the runways to a desired position where the car is turned radially into a stallway to face the center of the theatre.

Cars may move in and out, during the performance, so that patrons may come and go when and. as they please. However, it is not necessary that a car move from one segment to another in order to see a different type of picture. If, on a given screen, feature, news, or comedy films are to be displayed in order, then an automobile,

taking up a position in the segment. facing that screen, will afford to its occupants in due course a showing of all three pictures in order. However, if the spectators are interested only in one or two of the types of pictures that are to be shown currently on another screen, they, may proceed, in accordance with signals displayed for their guidance, to another segment where an immediate showing is to, be made of the pictures in which they are interested. This desirable result is made possible by the arrangement and mechanism now to be described,

adapted for use in theatres of various kinds;

both in and out of doors. a

The turret projection house, as shown, comprises a lower floor structure which may be of generally triangle form, surmounted by a projection room 26. from; which are extended.

three diverging hoods 21 each supporting a screen 28 which faces toward one of the theatre segments wherein the spectators are accommodated. Within thebase structure is a turntable T (see Fig. 4) supported on wheels 31 which run .prise the usual light housing 4| supported upon a post 42 having feet 43 spread out from the base thereof, the feet being rested upon and secured to the turntable; also a power driven feed mechanism 44 for the film from which images are to be projected onto one of the three screens 28. By means presently to be described, the turntable may be stopped successively in three rotative positions in each of which the projector axes are pointed straight toward the adjacent screens. The projector room is sufficiently elevated for the axes'of the projectors to be inclined slightly downwardly, and the screens to be faced similarly, toward the spectators who occupy positions close to the ground.

As a convenient means for controlling and operating the systems for the (1) signals, (2)

turntable motor, and (3) projection and sound apparatus, I have shown in Fig. 5 a diagram of electric wiring in connection with certain power leads a, b and c, the first and last of which are on the positive side. Through connections and 5!, current is taken to a time switch 53 from which separate connections 54, 55 and 56 lead to relay switches 51, 58 and 59, respectively, the first in connection with the F signal in a first set 60, the C signal in a second set 6|, and the N signal in a third set 52, the other two'relay switches 58 and 59 being each connected to another one of the three signals F, C and N in the three sets 60, BI and 62. With each periodic closing of the time switch, one of the three relays will be energized to close a circuit, whereby signals F, N and 0, one only in each set, will be operated. By way of example, the time switch may close its circuit once each hour to successively operate each of the three sets of signals which may designate, respectively, the showing of feature (F), news (N), and comedy (C) pictures. If these signals be located in positions to apprise spectators, whether incoming or settled, they will.have at hand a ready means for guidance to that segment of the theatre which faces the screen whereon is currently being exhibited a feature, news, or comedy picture, as the case may be. Atthe expiration of an hour (or whatever be the chosen unit of time), the signals will change, in response to operation of the time switch, so as to indicate correctly the changed showings on each of the three screens.

From the main leads, current is also taken through other connections Ill and H to a second time switch 12 in connection with a relay switch 13, from which other connections 74 and 15 extend to the turntable motor 31 to complete a circuit thereto. Limit switches 15 and an automatic line starter ll may be interposed in the circuit, as shown, to assure perfect positioning of the turntable at the end of each movement. The time switch 12 is coordinated with the time switch 53 so that operation of the signal system will be timed with that of the turntable motor, whereby with each change in rotative position of the projectors the several signals will be concurrently operated to furnish notice thereof.

From the main leads, current is also taken through other connections and 8| t a third time switch 82 in connection, respectively, with three relay switches 83, 84 and 85. From the first of these switches, connections 81 and 88 lead to an amplifier unit 89 which is also directly connected at 90 and HI with the power leads to receive current therefrom. Loud speakers 82 form.. ing part of the amplifier system are suitably connected thereto for the transmission of sounds to desired points in the theatre, as for example in low arcuate walls 93 at the forward ends of the several stallways 20 (see Fig. 3).

Other connections 95 and 96 in circuit with the connections 81 and 88 also lead to the amplifier unit 89 from which current is taken through three pairs of connections 91 and 98, 99 and IUD, and [M and H12, to the three projectors P for operation of the sound pick-up devices I03 thereof. From the second relay switch 84, connections I04 and H15 lead to the film feeding mechanisms lfifi of the projectors P. The third relay switch 85 may be in connection as at [UT and I 08 with a rotary convertor I09 by which a direct current is generated for transmission through connections I l 0 and I l I to the arc lamps N2 of the projectors P.

Referring for a moment to Fig. 4, with the turntable is associated a fixed insulated bushing H5 whereon is mounted a plurality of grounded collector rings H6, with each of which is frictionally engaged a multiple brush II! that depends from the turntable for rotation therewith. This brush is in connection with the various circuits leading to the projectors P-the wires 97, H12, H34, I35, and H0, HI which comprise the circuits leading to the relay switches 35 and 85 and the amplifier unit 89. The limit switches 78 are periphery of the turntable (see Fig. 2). By these several connections, rotation of the turntable will itself open the circuit to the 'motor 31 whereby to arrest its motor at the correct point, the circuit being reestablished to again advance the turn- :able when the time starter 11 has first been open ated and the time switch 13 has been closed at the end of its operating period. While three time switches 53, 1-2 and 82 have been illustrated, these need not be three separate coordinated units, but

.may, if desired, be combined into a single master switch to do exactly the same work in the same way, as hereinbefore described. All of the electrical units, as well as the projector and sound equipment, may be of any approved standard construction, and since no claim thereto per se is herein made, it is unnecessary to particularize further thereon.

With a control system of the kind described, the timing of the projection and sound system as one unit will be coordinated with that of the other two systems which govern the signals and the rotative positions of the projectors relative to their:

associated screens. In other words, all three systems, i. e., those for signals, motors, and projectors, operate together so that a change in one prooeeds concurrently with changes in the others.

This means that while the showing of pictures to- Iether with the accompanying sound is performed on several screens concurrently, a change in the showing will also take place concurrently, so that each set of projected images will appear successively on three screens. The audience may accordingly either remain in one segment of the theatre to. see all three shows in succession, or may move from one segment to another if a second showing of the same picture he desired, or a showing of another picture, not in sequence, be preferred.

The projection and sound system herein described involves the use of a turntable mounting a plurality of equidistant projectors each loaded with a different picture film of the same length. The images from all projectors are transmitted through the three light-confining hoods to a screen which is desirably plastic. All performances start and end at substantially the same time, whereupon the turntable is automatically rotated through a fixed distance to a new predetermined position. A repetition of the sound pictures then takes place, but on difierent screens,

as already explained. In practice, the sound equipment will be located at a point which is deslrably removed from the projector room-for example, in the lower floor structure 25 of the projection house. The sound may then be conveyed underground to the various speaker outlets in the low walls 93 which lie to the front of the automobiles which are parked in the stallways. The volume of sound emanating from the speakers should desirably be regulated so as to avoid interference between the different segments of the theatre.

The advantages of a multi-projection appara tus are many. In previous outdoor drive-in theatres, equipped with only one screen, it is necessary to arrange for many rows of stallways, in order to provide the desired capacity, and in so doing the stallways farthest from the screen are located so far away as to require thatthe screen itself be enlarged to dimensions which are objectionable. Showings on such a large screen are magnified to the extent of proving unsatisfacspace wherein the spectators are to be accommodated, thus conducing to a more compact arrangement, and permitting the use of smaller screens. The projection house with the screens carried thereby may also be somewhat lower in height and. less costly to construction.

According to the present invention, the projection of images is from the rear at the screens, each of which is supported near the outer end of a hood whose diverging walls are desirably colored black on the inside and built in such a way as to conserve as much as possible all the light that emanates from the projectors. In this way brighter pictures, and sharper and clearer detail, will be obtained. Also, by projecting from within an enclosed projection house and through an enclosed space, the light rays transmitted to the several screens are guarded against interference from insects, flies, moths, sand, etc, and even against fog and mist.

The attached prints illustrate a commercial embodiment of outdoor theatre having the projection system for images and sounds herein disclosed.

We claim:

1. A theatre having an electrically driven turntable, a projection housing enclosing the turntable, a plurality of light hoods disposed radially of the center of the turntable and projected outwardly from the housing, a screen at the outer end of each hood, a plurality of light projectors, one for each screen, mounted on the turntable radially thereof and adapted to transmit images onto the several screens concurrently, an electrical system in connection with the turntable drive for periodically imparting rotative movements to the turntable and for alternately operating and stopping the projectors for causing images to be transmitted therefrom onto the screens, and an automatic control for energizing the electrical turntable, one for each screen, adapted to transmit images onto all the screens concurrently, means for periodically operating and stopping the projectors and for alternately imparting rotation to the turntable whereby dilferent images may be concurrently shown on each of the screens and then progressively advanced from screen to screen and means exteriorly of the housing providing spectator accommodations within segments, one opposite each screen, with aisles therebetween radiating from the housing.

3. A theatre in which is comprised spectator accommodations within a plurality of segments all grouped around a common center with radial aisles therebetween, arcuate walls, one behind another in spaced relation, extending across each segment, a projection housing located axially of the segments, a plurality of screens carried by the projection housing, one opposite each segment and viewable only therefrom, a turntable centrally of the projection housing, a plurality of projectors radially mounted on the turntable, one for each screen, adapted to transmit images onto all of the screens concurrently, means for periodically operating and stopping the projectors and for alternately imparting rotation to the turntable whereby different images may be con- I currently shown on each of the screens and then progressively advanced from screen to screen, changeable signals readable from each segment for indicating the current showing of images on screens invisible therefrom, a sound mechanism operable in conjunction with each projector including speakers located at the arcuate walls, and means operable on advancing the turntable to predetermined stations in each of which each projector is positioned opposite one of the screens for changing the sounds emanating from the sound mechanism and also the signals consequent upon each such advance of the turntable.

4. A theatre in which is comprised spectator accommodations within a plurality of segments all grouped around a common center with radial aisles therebetween, a projection housing located axially of the segments, a plurality of screens carried by the projection housing, one opposite each segment and viewable only therefrom, a turntable centrally of the projection housing, a

plurality of projectors radially mounted on the:

turntable, one for each screen, adapted to transmit images onto all of the screens concurrently, means for periodically operating and stopping the projectors and for alternately imparting rotation to the turntable whereby different images may be concurrently shown on each of the screens and then progressively advanced from screen to screen, changeable signals readable fromreach segment for indicating the current showing of images on screens invisible therefrom, and means operable on advance of the turntable to position each projector opposite another screen and for changing the signals consequent upon each such advance of the turntable;

5. A theatre'having at an axial point a tum- ,table mounted therein, a plurality of screens to screens, for advancing the turntable through a predetermined distance, and for producing a second showing of the same images on screens different than the ones which received the first showing. 6. A theatre having at an axial point a rotatable turntable, a plurality of screens to the outside of the turntable angularly equidistant from each other, a plurality of light projectors, one for each screen, mounted on the turntable radially thereof for projecting images'onto the several screens concurrently and successively, power means for periodically imparting rotative move- -ments to the turntable, power means for alter- :nately operating the projectors to cast images therefrom onto the screens, a plurality of signals,

and a control system in connection with the several. power means and in connection with the signals, adapted to coordinate the operation of the turntable projectors and signals in a timed suc cessive relation.

WILLIAM F. CLARK. ARTHUR F. ADAMS. 

